HeeZ L.

Dinner at Por Kee @ Tiong Bahru

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:46:00 +0000

When to Tiong Bahru to try out a famous zi char store Por Kee. Just opposite Tiong Bahru Market. It is a old school restaurant a bit kopi shop like, but got A/C and even got out door dining :P

The food is not bad, service so-so. People going there have to try their Pork Ribs and Cereal Prawns. (p.s. better make reservation first, this place is popular)

Had some time to check out the unique old surroundings of the area and take some photos.

Por Kee Eating HOuse
69 Seng Poh Lane
#01-02 S160069
Tel: 6221 0582

South Ridge Walk

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Woke up super early in the morning, meet up with Joe, Leonard and K to check out the South Ridge Walk.

I like old school mailbox

Most Interesting Find - Waving Tree Couple

Vine Canopy

Spider

AsiaOne Adventure Race 09 - Team Lom Chiam Pass

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:51:00 +0000

Our lead CloudyWind chio me to join into their course to zoom around in a mini.
http://www.asiaone.com/specials/a1race/tnc.html

Since she could actually bring herself to trust my driving, why not?

Presenting... Team Lom Chiam Pass! (I think it is from Cookie)

Check out the cool guys and gals of the team! See already also know confirm NUMBER 1!

Haha... now all we need to do is to keep our fingers crossed.

Xmas in Melaka 08 - Roll 2

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:42:00 +0000

A colleague friend mentioned that I only blog once every 3 months... :P

Well I guess he is right, no excuse for it. Too lazy, too tired, too busy.. etc etc (hey these are reasons!)

Anyway, my second roll of film is finally developed. Unlike digital, for film we actually need to finish the 36 film roll before we can develop it.

Here are the additional photos from the Melaka trip.

Catch Ups in Melbourne

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:33:00 +0000

Melbourne always have a place in my heart. It is hard to imagine anyone who will not fall in love with the city.

Was in town for a week to help ZY settle down for his studies. It was crazy but we managed to finish it - administrative stuff, house hunting, buy electronic appliances, shop for furniture, fix up furniture, clean the place. I am sort of the tour guide + human GPS, + handyman. The end result? A nice cosy apartment right next to the uni!

Luckily, I'm able to find some time in the evenings to catch up with old friends and colleagues. It's great to see you people (you know who you are), hope to see you in Singapore too! I have durians and super hot hot buffalo wings waiting for you :D

Snoopy & Joice - Yummy Spicy Fish & bubble tea - I thought it is weird to have szechuan food in Mel :/
Beth, Kev & Ash - Awesome family! Thanks for the great pizza and lolli. I miss Lygon (TT)
Poohline - Had Korean with the super durian addict (I actually think she eats more durian than me o.O)
Shirley - Come to Singapore~~~ Stella and I waiting for you and your family here. Good luck with the new place.

Family @ Marina Barrage

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:03:00 +0000

A family outing to the Marina Barrage. Probably the last outing of the year before ZY goes to land of Oz for his studies. All the best ZY!

The Marina Barrage is pretty hard to find with all the constructions going on, I totally do not recognize the Marina South where I had enjoyed in my teens.

The place with a great city view is surprisingly quite a number of people at the place, families gatherings, uncles flying stylo-mindo kites, even saw a couple doing their wedding shots there. There is even a free guide tour of the place and an exhibition hall on Singapore's water management. Too bad there are limited eating places and the scenery around is vandalized by the construction background. (it seem that a huge garden is on the way)

I am sure the place will be a top escape from the city when everything is up :)

Thinking CNY 09

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:41:00 +0000

For some reasons, family members are thinking hard during this CNY.

Maybe they are planning for the new year ;)

Xmas in Melaka 08

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:59:00 +0000

This year my company's yearly 1 week forced leave had been lengthen to 2 weeks. This news came at the last minute - late November - which left us with too little time to plan any decent trip (I believe that year end and school holidays are bad time to go on holiday, need to pay peak period surcharges every where, and I am not sure if I imagining - you see Singaporeans every where). In the end, K and I booked a short 3D2N trip Xmas holiday to Melaka (Malacca in English) to R&R, eat and take photos. After all it had been 10+ years since I was last there with my family.

The small historical town is a nice place and I do see Singaporeans everywhere. The hotel we stayed at was cool - Hotel Puri - it is a restored Peranakan house in Chinatown very near to the city with lots of attractions and good food nearby. The hotel was very tastefully done up to reflect the heritage of the area, but I will have to say that room we had was, though clean, so-so.

Since it's a small town, I will advise that a 2D1N trip will be suffice to cover most of the places/food of interest. Must try - chicken rice balls (order the steamed Chicken version), Cendol, Peranakan food.

I was trying out my first roll of black and white film (Lucky SHD 100) on my underused Yashica Electro 35 GS rangefinder. As a newb, well, about half of them are gone - due to out of focus, blurring, over exposure, etc etc. But hey practices make prefect right? I should get my ass off, go out and shot more often. People out there remember to chio this newb.

More photos of the trip in my Picasa Album - Melaka Xmas

Melaka Xmas

Online Shopping Craze - eBay - Vintage Film Rangefinder Cameras

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:15:00 +0000

I'm currently into vintage rangefinder film camera eBay shopping fever now. I just bought 5 rangefinders from eBay US and got it shipped over via Borderlinx, received these old treasures on 11 Oct 08. These oldies are hard to find in Singapore, and you do find one, it cost a much more. (supply/demand theory remember?)

Now a bit on Borderlinx, it is a collaboration between Citibank Credit Cards and DHL, you need to own a Citi card credit to use this service. Based on person experience, I'll say it is better the vPost. Although it is slightly more expensive for the 1st 1-2 kgs, but things start to even out and even cheaper as compared to vPost at higher weight. It offers free conceige, 1 month free holding for shipping consolidation as compared to 1 week for vPost(to save on shipping fees) and free insurance! The process is faze free and fast, just send your shopping trophies to the address given and you are done - no more emailing of invoice, blah blah and waiting time. DHL being DHL is great, realtime delivery tracking and quick shipping - it took around 4days for me upon payment. All in all, Borderlinx - highly recommended by me for all your US shopping.

All right back to the main stars of the show, Rangefinders are from the 60s-80s era, they have manual focus when you try to align 2 pictures to get the correct focusing distance. It is very fun and interesting, I will urge all those who are interested in photography to try out. Of the 5 rangefinder cameras I got:

1 is a goner :(
1 is in bad condition >.<
2 in good condition :)
1 in great condition :D

I sort of was prepared for this, that's why I got 5 at one go ;)

From Left, Konica Auto S2, Yashica Electro 35 GS, Yashica Lynx 5000E, Minolta Hi-Matic 11, Yashica Electro 35
Konica Auto S2 (lens 45mm f1.8) - Okie this is the goner one. The exterior looks good but the aperture is stuck. I am trying to process for a refund. The seller is an US rag-n-bone shop which do not know too much about camera but still list the item as "good condition" and "works great" >.< Yashica Lynx 5000E (lens 45mm f1.8) - This is one is bad condition, there are scratches on the lens and the viewfinder is dirty. But hey the seller is a very honest merchant, he is selling on behalf of someone, thus, do not know the real condition of the camera, gave a full refund and do not even need to return the camera! Will deal with this honest eBay seller again in the future if there is a chance, highly recommended :D

Minolta Hi-Matic 11 (lens 45mm f1.7) - I bid for this because I cannot afford the more expensive and versatile Hi-Matic 7s or 7sII or 9. It does not have a manual mode and runs only on the old-days Shutter Priority mode. But I am not camplaining this is the most value for money camera I got form this shopping craze. Just USD$12.20, includes shipping within US - CHEAP! And most importantly the condition is not bad, aperture - working, shutter - working, meter - working. Will need to run a roll of film through it to see its pictures.

Yashica Electro 35 (lens 45mm f1.7) - One of the more famous and popular Yashica rangefinder range due to its lens quality and low cost. Wrongly ordered this, though it was a GSN. But hey, it is in good condition but it uses some funny extinct battery for the meter (PX32), so need to have an adoptor either home-made or get one online. Ask K to help me test and run a film through it.

Yashica Electro 35 GS (lens 45mm f1.7) - Again I got it cause I thought it was a GSN, GS is a newer model of Electro 35 but 1 generation older then GSN. This is in very good condition the seller just got it CLA with new light seals. I got a battery adaptor online to run this, as I was to lazy to do a homemade one. I am currently going to play with this camera first, just loaded a roll of B&W (Black & White) film into it. Let's see how it goes.

Yashica Electro 35 GS again

I hope to post some photo from each camera when they are out. But since I am a newbie in rangefinders, all of them might be crap. But you know what they say - practice make perfect.

These cameras of the yester-years have one big disadvantage - they need to use extinct batteries which are no longer in production. So you will need to find workarounds for them with existing battery options. I will try to put up a post on what I had learn online and how I worked around on this.

Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore!

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:30:00 +0000

I am always easily emotionally stirred up by national stuff, be it a song or hearing the pledge. Just like last year's Dim Sum Dolly show. And just a moment ago, there is a small grass root organised National Day Countdown. So despite all the stuff I say and complains about Singapore, deep inside know it -

I LOVE SINGAPORE! Happy 43rd Birthday!
(I'm wearing red "I LOVE SINGAPORE" tee now :D)

Can't Smile Without You

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:35:00 +0000

I am sure most of you had caught Hellboy II: The Golden Army. The show is great - fantastic special effects, funny, witty with action and romance carried out by a wonderful cast. 3 things from this movie kept hovering around my mind:

Special Effects - my fav will be the black winged, eyeless but cool (no less) Angel of Death
Cool spear wielding kungfu from the elven prince
The one main thing that kept replaying in my head - the catchy song Can't Smile Without You

L Rating: 4.5/5

So if you haven't watch the show yet, WATCH IT! Special effects are best watched on the big screen.

Now let us enjoy the song in my mind together, for you out there:

You know I Can't Smile Without You,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I can't laugh
and I can't sing,
I'm findin' it hard to do anything.
You see, I feel sad when you're sad,
I feel glad when you're glad,
If You only knew what I'm go ing through,
I just Can't Smile Without You.
You came along just like a song
and brightened my day,
Who'd've believe that you were part of a dream
Now it all seems light years away.
And now you know I Can't Smile WIthout You,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I can't laugh and I can't sing,
I'm finding it hard to do anything.
You see, I feel sad when you're sad,
I feel glad when you're glad,
If you only knew what I"m going through,
I just can't smile.
Now some people sa y happiness takes so very long to find.
Well I'm finding it hard leaving your love behind me.
And you see,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I Can't Smile Without You,
I can't laugh
and I can't sing,
I'm findin' it hard to do anything.
Y ou see, I feel sad when you're sad,
I feel glad when you're glad,
If You only knew what I'm going through,
I just Can't Smile Without You
- Can't Smile Without You, Barry Manilow, 1978

Law Plurk-ed

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:30:00 +0000

After some online convincing from Ms Saffy's blog, I finally tried my hands on Plurk. Plurk is a pretty interesting web2.0 social site for mini-blogging, presented in a timeline. Your friends can comment and converse on your entries. The app come across to me as cross between Twitter & Friendster's status presented in Microsoft Project's Gantt Chart (sorry profession habit) - a refreshing (thou not unique - Picasa had done it) way of presentation. I am almost wondering if the designer shares the same profession as me :P

What i like about this site:

Its quirky toon characters
The Karma scoring feature which encourages community growth and discourages spamming
The ease of use
Integrated contact import
Customizable widget (size included)

Check out my lifeline @ Plurk ;)

Comiq & How to Use RSS with Outlook

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:37:00 +0000

Comiq is a startup social network web2.0 site that allows users to import photos and create Flash storyboards in comic style. You can then further embed it on any site and share it with your friends. Pretty cool, definitely worth some time to check it out.

I had done this demo in Comiq as a sample on Web2.0 during the company's March 08 workshop in HK. It is a how to guide on how to use RSS in with Outlook 2000. Hope it is helpful for you.

How to use Outlook as RSS Reader from lawtrash on Comiqs

Making of TROPIC THUNDER Viral Video

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:56:00 +0000

This is the MTV Music Awards spoof for TROPIC THUNDER
as expected of the usual fare for the Awards spoof it is hilarious!

Cross over of Topic Thunder, Iron Man and Kungfu Panda! It is a mad pot mix.

The viral marketing video part really touch a piece of my heart.. it is so close to what I do! Reflects the industry, so many people out there just want to do cool stuff to impress but have no idea on what to do. In the end crap comes out.

So if you want to do something cool, know what you want and make sure it is darn cool like this video!

Enough said. Enjoy.

Origins of Country ALAMAK

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:44:00 +0000

A funny conversation with K last night.

K: I know this guy from my class.
L: Really where he comes from?
K: From Al-mak. ^^
L: Oh you meant Arab? o.O
K: Dunno >.<
(K showed L the MSN history, reads:
K: Where are u from?
Guy: Alamak!
)
L: HAHAHAhaha

I was laughing to tears.... :D

K, you are cute, my dear. Haha...
Have a fun and safe trip. Cya soon ^~

Art of Mind Control

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Mind control anyone?

Revenge of the Retro Games

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:28:00 +0000

In these days of RTS and FPS, I longed and begged for the return of the days where games were more about innovative game plays and fun - more than just pretty graphics.

I am not sure how many of you remember the indie strategy game of the Sega Megadrive year - King's Bounty! This is the pre-Heros game that was unique in its time. Now after years, it is moving a come back this year! King's Bounty: The Legend. Fellow gamers hold on tight, I look forward to your challenge on this game!

Another sequel I am looking forward to is Majesty 2. Majesty is an unique, indie real time sim game with its setting on the fantasy world. Player built the kingdom to fulfill mission objectives but does not directly control it. Rather provide tools and incentives for the sims in the games to complete your goals.

Retro rulez!

MOP asia 2008: IranDiary by Abbas

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:38:00 +0000

K & I had the privilege of being in presence of a maestro of photography - Abbas from Magnum Photos (a renowned agency formed by a cooperative of photographers). Abbas is giving a talk on one of his signature projects, the book IranDiary (stunning photos, do check out the book and site). Sharing with us his thoughts and feelings during his cover of the Iran revolution, insights into the world of professional photography and tips on photography. He comes across to me as being a cool, down-to-earth guy with no airs. What one cannot miss from his talk is his passion for photography.

Some quotes from the man himself (I try to quote as close as I could remember it):

"A historian of the present", on a photo journalist's responsibility
"I see colors in black and white", his take on black and white film photos
"Photography is easy, even a baboon can do it"
"A photo may appeal to you differently at a different time"
"A good pair of shoes and fall in love", his keynote tip on photography

I wish him all the best in current project and a pleasant stay in Singapore.

Abbas, if you are reading this, do feel free to drop me a comment. I will like be in contact and happy to bring you around Singapore :)

The talk is part of the programmes for MOP asia 2008. For full details on the event, go to their site. Will be dropping by The Cathay Gallery for "The Magic of Cinema A Magnum Photos Exhibition" soon.

Shadow Play

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:55:00 +0000

Remember when you were young, we used to play and make shadows of animals...
Snoopy forwarded me this interesting clip... Check it out:

(on your speakers)

Congratz Tammy, Marliha & Crystal

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:08:00 +0000

Seems like May 08 was really a good month for ringing the wedding bells. This month we saw 3 of our dear ex-BLUE colleagues ending their singlehood lifes and start creating their happily-ever-after with their loved ones.

Congratz Tammy, Marliha and Crystal!
(sorry Crystal was not able to attend your wedding ><)

We love you. Dun over focus too much on ur husbands and forgot about this batch of friends. :P

I wonder who is next to go.... (for some reasons, despite what she says.... my bet is on Ms Kimchi...)

Will be posting some photos up on my album.

3 May 08 - Tammy

31 May 08 - Marliha

Greeting from Crescendo Hell

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:57:00 +0000

In case all of you are wondering where on earth did I disappear to and if I had been adducted by alien or something. Well, the good (or bad) news is that I am still around.

I am away for some exercising for the month of May. Just survived my 9D8N free great outward bound camp - no-showering experience included.

It is like living hell here, the day temperature can reach above 40 degrees! We measured the ther day it is 48 degrees at 1PM! It is a miracle that we survived! >.<

Alright. Times almost up. *btw, this entry is from one of the only 3 Internet capable computers here in the canteen shop*

Leaving on A Jet Plane

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:45:00 +0000

I'm ... I'm ...

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

I'm ...

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing

Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way

Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say ...

Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

But I'm leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
(Leaving) On a jet plane
- Leaving on A Jet Plane, CHANTAL KREVIAZUK (Original Singer - John Denver)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLqnbEfWkNA

Take care and come see you soon.

You Are So Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:25:00 +0000

Classics are still the best.
A very beautiful song for your beautiful someone out there...
Enjoy.

You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can't you see
Your everything I hoped for
Your everything I need
You are so beautiful to me

Such joy and happiness you bring
Such joy and happiness you bring
Like a dream
A guiding light that shines in the night
Heavens gift to me
You are so beautiful to me
- You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker.

Listen to Song here:
http://www.ez-tracks.com/mySpace-code-18732.html

A Group of ... (Answers)

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:53:00 +0000

Here you go:

A FLOAT of crocodiles
A MURDER of crows (L.: this really sounds darn cool)
A PRIDE of lions

I din get any of them right haha....
How did you fare?

p.s. Sorry, I got the "ABC" order of the answers the other way round. =_=;
Here is the correct one.

p.p.s. check this site out http://www.pubquizhelp.34sp.com/animals/groups.html

A Group of ...

noreply@blogger.com (L.) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:33:00 +0000

Came across some an interesting MCQ on English in today's The Sunday Times.
Let's see if you get it...

There are collective nouns in English that mean "a group of", more common ones being "A crowd of people", "A flock of birds".

More unique ones like "A brood of chickens".

Let see if you can get these correct:

A group of crocodiles is called:
A) a snap B) a glide C) a float

A group of crows is called:
A) a death B) a murder C) a stone

A group of lions is called:
A) a pride B) a mane C) a roar

Answers coming up tomorrow ;)